A biology teacher in Preston, Idaho is accused of feeding a puppy to a snapping turtle.

East Idaho News reports Robert Crosland of Preston Junior High School, who taught science there for years, is now under investigation.

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Superintendent Marc Gee said school administrators became aware of “a regrettable circumstance involving some of the biological specimens” on March 7.

“The event occurred well after students had been dismissed and was not a part of any school-directed program,” Gee said in a news release. “We emphasize that at no time was the safety of students or staff compromised.”

Some students did witness the feeding.

Animal activist Jill Parrish told Fox 13 she filed a police report after learning of the incident and hearing from a teacher that the puppy, while sick, was very much alive.

"What I have learned in the last four days is disgusting. It is sick. It is sick," said Parrish."Allowing children to watch an innocent baby puppy scream because it is being fed to an animal. That is violence. That is not OK."

Some parents and students feel that if the puppy was going to die anyway, it's a different matter.

"If it was a deformed puppy that was going to die anyway, Cros[land] is very much circle of life," said parent Annette Salvesen. "If you’re not fine with it, leave the room."

Parrish still feels feeding the puppy to the turtle was wrong.

"There’s a lot of humane things you can do. Feeding a live animal to a reptile is not humane and it's not OK," said Parrish.

Gee said the district is working to ensure “this type of action could not be repeated."

Crosland is not currently facing any charges and has not been placed on leave. Franklin County Sheriff David Fryar said the department is looking into the incident.

"We’re investigating the facts and turning it over to the prosecutor. He’s the one who will determine if the law has been broken," says Fryar.

Former students who wished to remain anonymous told East Idaho News that Crosland is a popular teacher who has exotic snakes and other creatures in his classroom. All said they recall the teacher feeding guinea pigs to snakes and snapping turtles during classroom demonstrations.